Support for tubes or the like and method of manufacture thereof



July 21, 1936. GoODwm 2,048,654

SUPPORT FOR TUBES OR THE LIKE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF Filed March 26, 1955 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented July 21, 1936 I v H 2,048,654

u N 1TEo STATES PATENT OFFICE @2 04s,65i Q V v SUPPORT FOR rUBEsoR THE METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF H Vernon D. Goodwin, Emporium,"Pa., as signor to Hygrade Sylvania Corporation, SalenL'Mass-r a corporation of Massachusetts Application March 26, 1935. Serial No. isms; -9 Claims. (Cl. ZSMZ'LS) This invention relates to support members, such for example as are employed in lamps, tubes or. the like, and more particularly to a method of forming such supports.

5 An object of the invention is .to provide an improved-method for forming an insulator body, for example a ceramic block with perforations ex- ;Iending at an angle to each other through the ock.- V

m In certain types of devices for example present day radio tubes or the like; it is customary to support or space the. electrodes or other parts, by means of an insulator member ofinsulating material. However, thesesupports are. usually v 15 designed with as small a mass as possible consistent'with the necessary mechanical rigidity for supporting or spacing the tube parts, and in many cases these supports are of such small size as to render the provision of perforations therethrough 20 by ordinary drilling impracticable.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide an improved method-of form'- iug an insulating block with transverse perforations. V. Another object of the invention'is to provide an improved method of molding a bodywith perforations extending therethrough and at an angle to each other. I

A feature of the invention relates to an improved method of providing a body with a transverseperforationby employing a set of punches or forming tools moving-substantially parallel to each other. a

Another feature relates to an improved method of forming a ceramic or similar body with two or more perforations extending at right angles to =each other, by employing punches which move in the same general direction. 7

Another feature relates to an improved meth- Ao od ot providing a body with a non-linear perforation therethrough.

A further feature relates to an improved form ofsupporting and/or spacing member for lamps,

tubes and the like.

.15 Other features and advantages of the invention not specifically enumerated will be apparent after a consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims 'While the invention will be disclosed herein as 50 embodied in one particular form of body or spac- "ermember, it will be understood that thisis done merely'for explanatory'purposes and not by way ,.of limitation. Furthermore, while the invention "willbe described in connection with the forma- 53 "tion of a'cera'mic or similar member, it isequally well applicable to the formation of any body whichis required to be perforated in mutually perpendicular: directions without using'a drilling operation and without using dies or punches moving in different planes.

Accordingly, in the drawing Fig. 1 is a perspec- ,tive view, partly sectional, illustrating a typical block embodyingfeatures of the invention. f I Fig.- 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically illu rtrati' how certain of the perforations shown 10 i e- La ao m d 9 1 Fig. 3 is a typical form of radio tube embodying a spacer such as shown in Fig. 1. Fig.4 is a partial sectionalview'of Fig. 3 taken alongthe lines 4-4 thereof. .Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, the numerall represents a block of material for exampleceramie material lavite or the like, such as is ordinarily employed in radio tubes, lamps, etc. Such a block is generally employed for the purpose; ofspacing the several electrodes from one' another, and ralsoas an anchor for other electrodes. As is well-known the electrodes of radio tubes areh v ually formed with-uprights or siderods, which are adapted to enter corresponding perforations in the block I. Thus in Fig. 1 the perforations 2,3, areadapted to receive the upper .ends of the plate support side- -rods 4, 5, while the perforations 6,], are adapted to receive the upper. ends of the grid support side-rods (see Fig. 3) Prei'erably, although not necessarily, the

perforations "2, 3 and 6 are of the -same shape in cross section as the cross section of the respective side rods If desired the perforation 1 may be elongatedin cross section allowing the ;grid to expand; andcontract at difi erent temperatures. The perforations 8 and 9 may be for the purpose of receiving tension springs for the filaiment, V and preferably each of these latter perforations-is provided with a shoulder I0 against 40 which a respective spring H seats. Each spring may have fastened thereto a hook l2 to engage the bight of; the :usual inverted Y-filament, the *springs; and; hooks serving to maintain the filament taut. It will be'understood of course that the lower ,endsof the filament as well as the :lower endsof the various electrode side-rods,

are supported-from the usual reentrant press (nottshown). 1 'Any welllmown manner of fas- Ztening theblock lito, the side-rods may be employed, 'for example the plateside-rods 4, 5 may gbeiswagedabove iand vbelow the block to prevent the' said block movingvertically on the side- .rods'. In orderto support the electrode'assembly including-thelblockul, againstihorizontal or tiltended metal springs I4,

these springs preferably being bent as indicated l 1 9;; It lb Qt d; ie -..t er ol at ee f r-i L- ing movement with respect to the tube wall Iii, the said block is preferably provided with free- I; the free ends of to provide an elastic support against the inner wall of tube I3 as indicated in Fig." 4 of the draw- 8 and 9 in block I have their axes extending in the same direction through However since the springs [Land liv must ex tend transversely throughgtheiblock it becomes: necessary to provide the block with corresponding perforations to receive thesesprings,

' In accordance with this invention the perfora tions .to receive the spring supports jfl and li arepreferablyformed by a punching or die operation at the same time that the perforations 2, 3," 6," II; 8 and"! are formed. -It is desirable for various reasons however to be able to form the spring '"receiVing 'perfOrations at the same substantially the same" plane as the punches forming the remaining" perforations-L 4 One manner of accomplishingthis result :is diagrammatb time, or at-least by afpunch-ordie'moving in callyjillustrated-irr'Fig. 2.1 In this figure the block I iS'held in estim ble retain'ing' member and sets of punchesor forming tools l'6, lfl' and YIBa're provided. "Oneof'these sets of punches is adapted to form'thetransverse-perforation at I one'end' of the blockfor'receiving spring I4; while a similar set of punches isad'apted to form the transverse perforation at the opposite end of-the blockto receive spring I5. "Punches I6 and-11 *are preferably movable vertically as-a'unitf'so that in moving they form corresponding notches "I9, *2!) in the under-face andsi d'e faces of block It; Likewise as punch-I8 movesdownwardly in "a vertical direction and in--'the'-same plane as the "punches -I I3 {and I] it forrns-a window or againstfsliding movement with trespect t ntn block-r 1 v -It will be understood of coursethat the punches I6, 'llfandldmay be operate'd together-, or if "desired the punches 1 I 6 and I 1e may fflrst form the notchedsections- IS- 'and ZO -and-then the punch; I 8-= may be operated to form the -window V "2I.-- 'Inany event the-punches -'I6, 11 and -I8 all move in the 1 same general direction as the punches that= formthe perforations-V2, 3, 6,1, 8 v -18 :4 M J u :...l: i .immrnvqi Vanni Iii-will be 'understood of-course that-the for- 2,048,654 1: If. {1:1 4 iii-227i the block so that these perforations may be formed by a suitable: die, punch or forming tool,- moving foraexample} in a vertical plane with respect to the block.;

The wire I4 may be previously formed with the bowed portion 22, or if desired the said wire' may be substantially straightand after being inserted through the block a die having a face similar to the face 2 3 of punch I8 may be employed to off-set the central portionof the wire I4 thus locking it against sliding, movement in the block I.-

"pm the foregoing it wmte "seexithatthereis provided a'method of forming a body with such "as an insulator block with perforations extend- .Jing therethrough v in directions, and .the'lpunch or molding members v v for producing these'perforations may move in the s'amef'generalplane. However, various changes mutually perpendicular and mqqincafionsmay be made herein without departing frointhe spirit and scope of the inven- 1 tionthus for example the punches I6, I1 and I8 7 I instead of; moving perpendicular to the face of the block "I may move at an angle so that the transverse perforation re'sulting-i-from 'the movement ofthe punches I6, I]. and I8 :may extend at any desired angle. with relation'toi the perforations 2, 3, 6, I, 8 and 9. Likewise insteadofproe -viding the recessillnirrzithet upper face of :the

block and notching the lower face as at I930, the latter notches maybe providedin'the upperface 'and:the recess 2| face. It will be understood therefore that ,the terms ivtop and iside: or filateral as employed in the :claimsiis: merely, relative, .andthe invenf vtion not. limited to the formationofxthespassages laterally through the block; as distinguished from passages extending from .top .to bottom of the block V p. '.r; The method of forming as: described; is par:-

"ticularly well suited' to rthejmaking of insulator members of'wmoldableceramic materials-.1 Thus the ceramic materials in; powdered form; may; be mixed with a suitable ,binderand bakedtoqa suitabletemperatureto bond the particles -ejlhe semi-plastic. mass, may then be inserted ,iniasuitable mold to form the various; passages :as 1 1e,- scribed and also to shape the block as a whole. The molded perforated Lblock ,mayjhenbe' fired and if. desired suitable reaming ,or ,boring ,tools may .Vbe .used ,to enlarge the passages or.;sm0oth vany irregularities in their inner surfaces. Alternatively the .ceramicblock; may firstbeflmolded *with'some of the passages, andfithe rcmaining lpassagespformed after removal fromthempldbut preferably priorrto 11111 3.; w, ,?1, v. 4.

What I claim is: .3; 1. :Av spacer. member for radio .tubes comprising a block having opposite faces notched andi-hav :ing'a third face provided with a recess, the recess communicating with the notches toform' a transverse passage throughthe-block. i

2.- A support memberfonradio; tubescomprising arblockhaving aligned notchesiin; the lateral g walls thereof and a recess in the top wall thereof, .said recess and notches'overlapping.toxdefine a may be formed. inzxthe lower .zpassageway extending transversely through the. V rnation of the several perforations-" ma :be said member. V 3:; achieved when the'blojck; I in-- a} somewhat ,Aspacer member for radio'tubescomprising 5 --softened'rstate and the; perforating may be af- -a block'of insulating ,materialhaving :astsetejof -fected while the? block -is being molded to th'e 'perforations-extending'therethroughfromton. to .shape' shown. It w-ill -alsobe-'understood that bottom,-'and anotherpassagewayextendinglater- "instead of using punches to" ra the-different ally therethrough, the said passageway; being de- V perforations, a bi-part -mold may be employed "fined by a recess on the top face of said block and having projections correspondingto the'i-meni aligned notches in the lateral walls of said block. "bers I6, Hand-I8 sothatas-the block Iisbeing ,saidnotches land recesscommunicating with "molded the said I projectionsact on the block in substantially the same -manneras when punches are' employed 'as described above; a

through in a vertical direction and a plurality of passages extending therethrough in a horizontal direction, each of the latter passages being defined by lateral notches and a window in the top face of said block communicating with said notches.

5. A spacer member for radio tubes comprising a block of insulating material having a transverse passage therethrough defined by lateral notches and a top recess, and a free-ended spring Wire positioned in said passage and having the free ends extending beyond said block.

6. A spacer member according to claim 5 in which the free ends of the spring are bent.

7. A spacer member according to claim 5 in which the spring wire has a portion of its length where it passes through said block off-set, and

said passage is also provided with a corresponding surface to receive said oif-set portion of said Wire.

8. A spacer member for a radio tube comprising a block of insulation, and a spring wire passing transversely through said block with its free ends extending outwardly from said block, said wire having an off-set portion in its length where 1 it passes through said block.

9. A spacer and support member for radio tubes comprising a block of insulating material having a transverse passage therethrough, a spring wire passing in said passage having its free ends extending beyond said block, said block and wire having means to prevent said Wire sliding in said block.

VERNON D. GOODWIN. 

